The Stroke Association's Chief Executive in New Year's Honours List

The Stroke Association's Chief Executive, Margaret Goose, has been awarded an OBE for services to healthcare in this year's New Year's Honours list.

The accolade recognises Margaret's unstinting campaigning and leadership of The Stroke Association over the last six years, which has included the development of services for stroke patients, their carers, and families.

"During her time with The Stroke Association, Margaret has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of stroke and the needs of people affected by stroke," commented Ben Jabuni, Director of The Stroke Association's Community Services. He continued, "She has influenced colleagues in the NHS to provide specialist stroke services, particularly stroke units in all general hospitals throughout England and Wales. The Stroke Association is delighted that her work has been recognised, and congratulate her on this tremendous honour."

Margaret is well known within healthcare circles having over thirty years service in the NHS, representing patient issues and developing health service management.

Margaret worked for ten years in North Bedfordshire as Chief Executive of the Health Authority. She was a member of the national group leading the introduction of the first Patients' Charter in 1992. A past President of the Institute of Health Services Management, she has had a long standing interest in management development, which was a key focus of her work at The Nuffield Institute for Health at the University of Leeds.

"I am greatly honoured to receive this award. It is a recognition of all the valuable work done by staff, volunteers and supporters of the Stroke Association, many of whom have had direct experience of strokes and the devastating effects it can have on people's lives", said Margaret.

Margaret was born and raised in Norwich and has retained many links there. She was educated at the Blyth School, Norwich, before going on to study at Newnham College, Cambridge.

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Notes to Editor

1. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

2. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include visiting services, dysphasia support, family support, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

3. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

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